Loik Radzhabov Record: 18-5-1

Building a contender in the PFL and beyond

Radzhabov answered with one of the better wins of his career in October 2019, outpointing former PFL finalist Chris Wade by decision during the league's playoff stretch. He kept sharpening his game on the bigger stage, and in January 2022 he showed off his finishing instinct with a first-round guillotine choke of Zach Zane at Eagle FC 44, the promotion backed by Khabib Nurmagomedov.

UFC arrival

That momentum carried him to the UFC, and he made an immediate statement at UFC 285 in March 2023, edging unbeaten prospect Esteban Ribovics by decision in a high-paced striking battle. His next outing, at UFC on ABC 5 in June 2023, was a setback – he was stopped by an overhand left from Mateusz Rębecki in the second round, the only knockout loss of his career. Radzhabov bounced back in resilient fashion in March 2024, weathering adversity to finish Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady with a third-round flurry of ground strikes, reaffirming the durability and pressure that define him. A bout against Trey Ogden sits on his ledger as his next scheduled UFC appearance.

Fighting style

Radzhabov is a pressure fighter with a 72% career finish rate, and his stoppages are split between heavy hands and a credible submission game – eight of his wins have come by knockout and five by submission, with the remainder by decision. His wrestling base lets him dictate where fights take place, while his cardio and toughness allow him to drag opponents into deep, grinding waters. He is at his best imposing a high-volume, physical pace; the loss to Rębecki underlined that he can be caught when he trades in open space, but his ability to absorb punishment and recover – as the Al-Selwady comeback showed – remains a defining trait.

Career highlights

• UFC debut victory — defeated previously unbeaten prospect Esteban Ribovics by decision at UFC 285 to open his Octagon run on a winning note.
• Comeback finish — stopped Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady with third-round ground strikes, a fight that showcased his trademark durability and resolve.
• Proven against elite competition — tested himself in the PFL against names like Chris Wade and Islam Mamedov before earning his UFC roster spot.